Circulating non-HDL-C levels were more relevant to atherogenic lipoprotein subfractions compared with LDL-C in patients with stable coronary artery disease

•Whether low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) or non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (non-HDL-C) is a better marker of coronary risk is inconclusive.•LDL and HDL subfractions provide additional information regarding lipoprotein atherogenicity.•Non-HDL-C was more relevant to cholesterol carried by small LDL particles.•Non-HDL-C was more closely related to LDL particle size.•Non-HDL-C was more strongly linked with cholesterol carried by large HDL particles.

BackgroundConflicting results have been yielded as to whether low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) or non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (non-HDL-C) is a better marker of coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Recently, plasma LDL and HDL subfractions have been suggested to be more accurately reflecting the lipoproteins' atherogenicity.ObjectiveWe sought to compare the relationship between LDL-C or non-HDL-C and lipoprotein subfractions.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in 351 consecutive stable CAD patients without lipid-lowering therapy. The LDL and HDL separations were performed using the Lipoprint System. The LDL-C levels were measured directly, and the non-HDL-C levels were calculated.ResultsThe cholesterol concentrations of LDL (large, medium, and small) and HDL (small) particles were increased (all P < .001) by non-HDL-C or LDL-C quartiles, whereas the mean LDL particle size and cholesterol concentrations of HDL (large) were decreased (both P < .001) by non-HDL-C quartiles. In age- and gender-adjusted analysis, the cholesterol in small LDL was much strongly related to non-HDL-C than to LDL-C (r = 0.539 vs 0.397, both P < .001). Meanwhile, the mean LDL particle size was more closely associated with non-HDL-C than LDL-C (r = −0.336 vs r = −0.136, both P < .05). Significantly, the cholesterol in large HDL was negatively correlated with non-HDL-C (r = −0223, P < .001) but not with LDL-C. These correlations were further confirmed by the fully adjusted multivariable linear regression analysis.ConclusionsNon-HDL-C, in comparison to LDL-C, was more relevant to atherogenic lipoprotein subfractions in patients with stable CAD, supporting that it may be better in assessing cardiovascular risk.